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Investigation of Focused Ion and Electron Beam Platinum Carbon Nano-Tips with Transmission Electron Microscopy for Quantum Tunneling Vacuum Gap Applications

Authors :
Michael Haub
Thomas Günther
Martin Bogner
André Zimmermann
Source :
Applied Sciences, Vol 11, Iss 24, p 11793 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2021.

Abstract

To realize quantum tunneling applications with movable electrodes, sharp tips with radii down to several tens of nanometers are necessary. The use of a focused ion beam (FIB) and focused electron beam (FEB) with a gas injection system (GIS) allows the integration of geometries in the nanoscale directly into micro and nano systems. However, the implementation of the tunneling effect clearly depends on the material. In this work, a metal-organic precursor is used. The investigation of the prepared tunneling electrodes enables an insight into FIB/FEB parameters for the realization of quantum tunneling applications. For this purpose, a high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis is performed. The results show a dependence of the material nanostructure regarding platinum (Pt) grain size and distribution in an amorphous carbon matrix from the used beam and the FIB currents. The integration of the tips into a polysilicon (PolySi) beam and measuring the current signal by approaching the tips show significant differences in the results. Moreover, the approach of FEB tips shows a non-contact behavior even when the tips are squeezed together. The contact behavior depends on the grain size, proportion of platinum, and the amount of amorphous carbon in the microstructure, especially at the edge area of the tips. This study shows significant differences in the nanostructure between FIB and FEB tips, particularly for the FIB tips: The higher the ion current, the greater the platinum content, the finer the grain size, and the higher the probability of a tunneling current by approaching the tips.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
11241179 and 20763417
Volume :
11
Issue :
24
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Applied Sciences
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.91549029386240e99789d1208011b956
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/app112411793